"Catholicism stands essentially for a universal order in which every truth of the natural or social order can find a place." -- Christopher Dawson

Catholic studies is an interdisciplinary program in the theology, history, artistic culture, philosophy, and traditions associated with Roman Catholicism.
Students who major in Catholic studies are required to take Religious Studies 100 as a prerequisite to the program and to take 36 credits in the program (i.e., 24 credits from the following core courses in Catholic Studies plus 12 credits from the electives listed below).
Students who minor in Catholic Studies are required to take Religious Studies 100 as a prerequisite to the program and to take 24 credits in the program (i.e., 18 credits from the following core courses in Catholic Studies plus (after consultation with the Program Coordinator) 6 credits from the electives listed below).

CORE COURSES:

100 An Introduction to Catholic Traditions and Culture

Required of all students who major in Catholic studies. The course provides an investigation into the nature of the Church and the Roman Catholic faith. It also provides a history of the Church in four major areas: the early Church through the Trinitarian and Christological Councils; the development of the medieval Church; Reformation and Counter Reformation; the Church of the First and Second Vatican Councils. Six credits.

241 Sin and Salvation in the Catholic Tradition

This course will study the themes of sin and salvation as they appear in the Bible, in literature, and in two great theological controversies, the Pelagian controversy of the 5th century, and the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Three credits. Not offered in 2012-13.

245 Christ in the Catholic Tradition

This course will study the person, nature, and work of Christ as these are understood in the Catholic tradition. Texts studied will include the Bible, theological texts from a variety of historical periods, and some literary presentations of Christ. The class also looks at depictions of Christ in art. Three credits.  Not offered in 2012-13.

251 The End of the World in the Catholic Tradition

The purpose of this course is to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of eschatology, which is the study of theological and religious views about "last things" (death, heaven, purgatory, hell). This topic will be presented from three points of view: historical sources, including scripture; doctrinal issues; artistic depictions. Three credits.

301 Classic Texts in Roman Catholicism:  The Early and Mediaeval Church

An interdisciplinary seminar on the works of important thinkers in the Catholic tradition from the early and mediaeval Church, such as St. Augustine, St. Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Hildegard of Bingen. The seminar will normally focus on one thinker. Prerequisites: RELS 100 or permission of the instructor. Three credits. Not offered in 2012-13.

302 Classic Texts in Roman Catholicism:  The Early Modern and Contemporary Church

An interdisciplinary seminar on the works of important thinkers in the Catholic tradition from the early modern and contemporary Church, such as St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, John Henry Newman, Jacques Maritain, and Thomas Merton. The seminar will normally focus on one thinker. Prerequisites: RELS 100 or permission of the instructor. Three credits. Not offered in 2012-13.

321 Classical Debates in Science and Christianity

This course reviews the major historical developments in Christian teaching on science. The course has four parts: the understanding of the relationship between secular and Scriptural knowledge (or “reason and faith”) in the Early Church; creation and the philosophy of nature in the 13th century; Galileo and the Inquisition; and the 19th century debates over evolution. Three credits. Students may not receive credit for CATH 320 and this course. Not offered in 2012-13.

322 Contemporary Issues in Christianity and Science

This course examines contemporary issues related to science. Topics may include: modern Catholic responses to methodologies in the sciences; evolution and debates about the interpretation of the creation narrative in the book of Genesis; Catholic teaching on the meaning of human embodiment and its relevance to understanding sexuality and issues in bioethics; neuroscience and the phenomena of religious experience; the impact of contemporary cosmology, technology, and biology on Christian theology. Three credits. Students may not receive credit for CATH 320 and this course.

Catholic Studies 331: Catholicism and the Arts: Beginnings of Christianity to the Early Renaissance

This course will trace Catholic themes and ideas about Catholicism in literary, musical, architectural, or artistic works from the beginnings of Christianity to the early Renaissance.  Three credits.

Catholic Studies 332: Catholicism and the Arts: The Renaissance to the Contemporary Era

This course will trace Catholic themes and ideas about Catholicism in literary, musical, architectural, or artistic works from the Renaissance until the contemporary era.  Three credits.

341 Catholic Social Teaching

Rooted in scripture, philosophy, and theology, Catholic social teaching proposes principles of justice that emphasize the dignity of the person, the value of economic and political institutions, and the importance of a common good. This course explores these principles and their application to contemporary social, political, and economic issues with reference to official documents of the Catholic Church. Three credits. Prerequisites: CATH 100 or permission of the instructor or third-year standing.  Not offered in 2012-13.

ELECTIVE COURSES:
The following courses may be chosen as electives to complete the program in Catholic Studies.